Westerville In Review - June 2025
Eggs, Taters, Sausage, and Grapes - June 2, 2025
A Saturday market breakfast review focuses on simple foods and ripe grapes. The piece notes how summer produce shapes weekend routines.
Sealing North State Street, Africa Road Closed Again, New Pavers On West Main, and New Police Chief to Be Named - June 3, 2025
A spilled load of roofing sealant forced lane closures at State Street and Polaris Parkway as crews worked to contain and remove the thick material, while Africa Road shut down again for sanitary sewer installation tied to the East of Africa project. City Council prepared to appoint Acting Chief Holly Murchland as Westerville’s next police chief, and workers restored the Main Street crosswalk at State Street by replacing damaged pavers and resetting the brick surface.
Library Opens Williams Grill Exhibit and Shows Off Returned Anti-Saloon League Artifacts - June 4, 2025
The Westerville History Museum unveiled two new exhibits celebrating the city’s cultural influence, including a hands-on look at the former Williams Grill restaurant and a major display of Anti-Saloon League materials now back on site for public access and research. City Council confirmed Holly Murchland as police chief after her service in the role on an acting basis. Commuters on Polaris Parkway continued to face backups due to lane restrictions from ongoing sewer work linked to the East of Africa project.
Tomatoes And Strawberries On Africa Road - June 5, 2025
Africa Road remained closed to through traffic near Polaris, but access to the Westervelt Farmers Market continued as the owner worked with crews to keep customers reaching fresh tomatoes and strawberries during storm sewer construction. Home Street and Hanby Alley saw progress with a new manhole installed and utilities headed underground, while Birmingham Road neared completion with rebuilt pavement and driveways expected to reopen for residents.
Westerville Police Investigate Airbnb Burglary, Vehicle Theft, and Identity Fraud - June 6, 2025
Police are investigating a burglary at a short-term rental on West Plum Street that left the home ransacked, an Audi stolen, and fraudulent IDs and credit cards tied to the suspects, with evidence linking the case to another rental in Columbus and no arrests yet. A separate note encouraged residents to check the Saturday Farmers Market for early season produce like radishes, greens, and the first strawberries.
Africa Road Farmers Market Access Changed - Polaris Parkway Opens All Lanes - June 7, 2025
Polaris Parkway reopened to full traffic while access to the Westervelt Farmers Market shifted to the southbound lane of Africa Road due to ongoing construction, and residents were reminded of a busy weekend lineup including the Saturday farmers market, a full day of community band performances at Alum Creek Amphitheater, a Pride kickoff event downtown, and a Sunday night ELO tribute concert.
Weekend Photo Gallery, EMWTTSFM, and the Grape Report - June 9, 2025
A weekend photo roundup included a packed ELO tribute concert at Alum Creek Amphitheater, families celebrating Pride at Rotary Park, and painters continuing work on the Hoff Woods water tower. The food column reviewed a chocolate croissant from the farmers market with a Reese’s center, told as an indulgent tale of strategy and nostalgia, while the latest grape report noted larger but still only mildly sweet green grapes at Kroger despite attractive packaging and low prices.
Library Pavers Returned To Donors - June 10, 2025
The Westerville Public Library offered donors a final opportunity to claim engraved pavers removed during the construction of a new patio, restoring the entrance area for better accessibility. A doe was spotted browsing through front yard hostas on East College before heading toward nearby nature areas, and young sailors at Hoover Sailing Club wrapped up practice early as rain moved in.
Overgrown Adding Roots In Westerville - June 11, 2025
The Uptown Review Board approved storefront updates for a new tropical plant shop moving into the former State Theater building, including repainting and a larger wall sign that required a variance, while some board members questioned removing an awning on the historic structure. Separately, the Westerville BMX track reopened after crews treated the surface to better withstand weather, with a full schedule of races and training sessions planned and a nod to the volunteer effort that helped build the facility in 2021.
Church of the Messiah Gets Roof Replacement As Part of Major Renovation - June 12, 2025
Construction crews replaced a flat roof section at the Church of the Messiah as part of a larger renovation intended to improve accessibility and create new gathering spaces, including expanded front windows, an updated nursery and chapel, new restrooms, and upgraded mechanical systems, while preserving the historic structure’s familiar appearance on State Street.
Cops & Kids, And A History Lesson. - June 13, 2025
Cops & Kids Day returned with a long tradition of officers and families spending a relaxed afternoon together at Hoff Woods Park, paired with safety activities and equipment displays that help children build early trust with police. Hanby House prepared a program on Kate Winter Hanby, an early Otterbein graduate who supported her family through teaching and farming. Longtime Chamber president Janet Tressler Davis announced plans to retire later in the year after decades of leadership that shaped Westerville’s business community.
Africa and Polaris Open Both Ways, Steady Steelworkers, Young Growth Soybeans, and City Hall Rock Cleaning - June 14, 2025
Africa Road and Polaris Parkway reopened to two way traffic with only a minor turn lane closure remaining, easing access to Westervelt Market while construction continues. Photos showed steelworkers advancing the enclosed walkway that will link City Hall and the old police station, young soybeans sprouting on the Yarnell farm, and crews clearing debris downtown ahead of a planned rally. The weekend wrapped with a Fleetwood Mac tribute concert by Fleetwood Gold at Alum Creek Amphitheater.
Saturday “No Kings” Rally Largest Yet In Uptown - June 15, 2025
Thousands gathered in Uptown for the “No Kings” rally, a peaceful Flag Day protest that filled State Street with signs, chants, and a diverse crowd expressing opposition to President Trump. Families at Hoff Woods Park enjoyed meeting mounted police and other hands on activities during Cops and Kids Day, continuing a long running effort to build trust between officers and children. At Hanby House, visitors heard about Kate Winter Hanby, one of Otterbein’s first female graduates, whose life of teaching and independence was highlighted during an afternoon history program.
Market Veggies Make The Meal - EMWTTSFM -Sunday Concert Series Fills Woods and Hills - The Grape Report - June 16, 2025
A farmer's market meal built from fresh beans, potatoes, and a chicken-fried steak substitute stirred memories of summers past, while the Sunday concert at Alum Creek Amphitheater drew a large, enthusiastic crowd for Fleetwood Gold. The weekly grape report found bigger fruit on shelves but still lacking strong flavor, prompting a shift to strawberries instead.
Road Closing, Road Opens, Road Repairs, and East of Africa Update - June 17, 2025
A two week closure was scheduled for Heatherdown Road to speed up reconstruction, while Birmingham Road reopened with a full rebuild complete and similar work progressed on Liberty Lane. The East of Africa development site continued to transform as crews carved out new ponds, road alignments, and utility routes across the former farmland.
First Woman Police Chief Sworn In And Proposed Inside Millage Change Opposed - June 18, 2025
Holly Murchland was sworn in as Westerville’s first woman police chief, thanking her family and the community for their support as she officially took leadership of the department. City Council also voted unanimously to oppose Ohio House Bill 335, warning that eliminating inside millage would strip cities of a key source of property tax revenue and hand more control to county boards, potentially forcing cuts to services or future tax hikes.
Uptown Overgrown, Chicago Comes To Westerville, and Cell and Water Tower Refurb - June 19, 2025
Overgrown, a tropical plant shop, prepared to open in the former State Theater storefront on State Street with fresh paint and a new sign. Westerville’s civic theater launched its teen production of Chicago for a weekend run at South High School. The Otterbein water tower entered a major refurbishment that includes new paint and upgraded cellular antennas, while nearby, residents enjoyed quiet time fishing at Hoover Reservoir.
JuneTeenth At The Point, Possible Road Delays, and Going Underground Uptown - June 20, 2025
Westerville prepared to mark Juneteenth with a community festival at The Point featuring music, food, and family activities that highlight local Black history, with attendees warned to expect traffic delays due to a nearby road race earlier that morning. In Uptown, city crews began moving overhead utilities underground in Hanby Alley as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades behind State Street businesses.
Summer Jazz and Solstice Reading List - June 21, 2025
Westerville looked ahead to a full weekend of arts and summer leisure. The Westerville Jazz Orchestra promoted a free outdoor performance at the Alum Creek Park Amphitheater featuring film and stage music with vocalist Dawn Eller. The same update offered a curated reading list built for local interests. It begins with books on Westerville’s own history and influence. It then expands to fiction and nonfiction set in small towns where community ties, tradition, and personal stories shape everyday life. The titles are available through local shops and the Westerville Public Library.
First Corn Of The Season. And, Bacon. And, Grapes. EMWTTSFM - June 23, 2025
Fresh sweet corn finally arrived at the Saturday Market, and despite a long-standing rule against buying the first ears of the season, the early harvest from Rhoad’s Farm proved flavorful with tender kernels. A memory from Florida in 1973 framed the review, recalling Silver Queen corn eaten raw in Zellwood before that farming era came to an end. The Green Grape Report came from Aldi on Westerville Road, where prices were lower than other stores and the grapes showed a slight rise in sweetness and size compared to previous weeks, though still not quite where the reviewer hopes they will be as the season advances.
School Board Approves Possible Income Tax Instead Of Levies - June 24, 2025
The Westerville City School Board approved two versions of a possible earned income tax as it considers a November ballot issue to address district finances. One option is a 0.75% tax projected to generate more than $24 million each year.
Christmas On Thursday With Buddy. The Castros New Music Video. Road Repairs. - June 25, 2025
A youth cast prepared for the opening of Elf Jr. at Alum Creek Amphitheater. Westerville band The Castros released a new music video. Road crews continued reconstruction on Liberty Lane and resurfacing on Heatherdown Road.
Afternoon Storm Floods Africa Road - June 26, 2025
A quick storm sent water over Africa Road near the East of Africa project, briefly closing the street in two spots before workers cleared the drains and traffic resumed. The Saturday Farmers Market continued to draw substantial crowds at its temporary South State Street location with summer produce, baked goods, meats, and bike-friendly access.
New Cell Tower On Otterbein Ave., Paving Friday on Polaris and Africa Road, Symphony Concert Canceled, and New Underground Garbage Container Project - June 27, 2025
A new cell tower is going up on Otterbein Avenue to replace antennas on the nearby water tower and improve service. Crews installed another underground trash container in Hanby Alley. Scheduled paving on County Line Road, Africa Road, and Polaris Parkway will cause temporary lane closures. The Westerville Symphony postponed its outdoor concert to late August because of weather concerns. Kris’ KickOut returns to Westerville North as a fundraiser honoring alumnus Kristopher Swiger.
Fourth Friday’s Blue Balloons and East of Africa Update. - June 28, 2025
Threatening weather stayed south of Uptown, allowing a strong Fourth Friday turnout with music, food, and streets lined in blue balloons. At the East of Africa site, work continues on ponds and grading that will support future roads and buildings.
Children’s Summer Reading List - June 29, 2025
A children’s summer reading list highlighted books by Ohio and Westerville authors as well as well-known classics for young readers. The issue also included an obituary for Amy Jean Groseclose, a longtime Harlem Township resident who lived to 100 and was remembered for her warmth, love of nature, and community ties.
July 4th Planning. EMWTTSFM With Steak and Eggs. The Grape Report. - June 30, 2025
Westerville detailed plans for July 4 events, including a major closure on Cleveland Avenue for evening activities and fireworks at the Sports Complex. A food review featured a cast-iron breakfast sourced from the farmers market. The grape report noted larger and sweeter grapes found at Fresh Thyme after several disappointing weeks elsewhere.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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